Allison
After we got dressed up, Jayden said,
“Get down, I want to run some tests on the car.”
The night air was still alive with the hum of crickets and the distant thump of music from the party we’d left behind.
“Can’t I come with you?” I asked, my voice soft and innocent.
He shook his head, a strand of his hair swishing right on his forehead. “No, don’t bother, I’ll be right back though.” The words spilled out, a gentle rebuff to his charms. “Anyway, let’s see the present you got for me, should we?”
As I handed him the wrapped present from the back seat, a flutter in my chest betrayed my nonchalance. “Check it yourself,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jayden’s eyes sparkled as he unwrapped the gift, revealing a crisp white shirt and a delicate perfume bottle. His gaze met mine, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I guess you’ll be taking off this shirt next time we meet.”
A blush rose to my cheeks as I rolled my eyes, a gruff “Hmm” my only response.
But as the scent of sex wafted up, I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “Please, can I have the perfume?” I asked, my fingers brushing against Jayden’s as I took the bottle.
The fragrance was heady, a sweet floral scent that filled my senses. I sprayed it on, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
As I got out of the car, I shivered lightly, the cold night air enveloping me. I looked back at Jayden, his eyes glinting in the dim light. “Enjoy your ride,” I said, my voice soft.
His smile was a flash of white in the darkness. He reversed the car, then sped off into the night, leaving me standing alone.
I watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. “Better be careful on the road,” I whispered to myself, my eyes lingering on the fading taillights.
As I turned to walk away, my heart skipped a beat. Colby stood before me, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “Colby?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Colby’s eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, his jaw clenched in rage. “Hey,” he whispered, his voice low and menacing.
I locked eyes with him, a spark of defiance igniting within me. “Are you here because of Jayden’s birthday?” I asked, trying to sound cautious.
Colby’s expression twisted in disgust. “Hell no, I’m not here for that fucking idiot. Why would I care about him?” His voice dripped with venom. “I just decided to come down because the music was too loud, and then I saw you both.”
My eyes darted downward, my face flushing with guilt. Colby’s gaze followed mine, his eyes narrowing.
“You saw us, didn’t you?” I asked softly, my voice shaking. “You saw Jayden and me together.”
Colby’s voice rose, his anger boiling over. “Obviously, I did. I’m not blind, am I? I saw you two fucking banging each other and moaning so loud like you guys were in a serious relationship or something.”
“Look, I”
“What’s going on, Allison?” he asked, cutting me off immediately. “What’s going on with you and Jayden, really? You’re going to break other people’s hearts, and for what? For him?”
“Whose heart?” I asked, my brows furrowing. “Whose heart did I break?”
“Yvonne, your family and mine!” he growled, slapping his chest so hard that I feared he would hurt himself. “Especially mine, Allison.”
“I didn’t break your heart, Colby,” I said, shaking my head, my eyes flashing in anger. “You’re the one breaking your heart, hoping in the feelings that I just don’t have for you.”
His face contorted in pain. “Oh, really? So what if I go into that party right now and tell them what I saw?”
“Why are you doing this? It’s none of your business, Colby!” I yelled at his face.
“Ohh, I see. Okay then, when are you going to end it with him?” he asked, his voice icy.
“It’s none of your business when I end it with him,” I retorted, my eyes blazing. “Mind your own fucking business.”
With that, I stormed away, leaving him seething with anger and hurt. But just then, he grabbed my hand.
“What are you doing right now?” I asked, snarling.
Colby’s grip on my hand was like a vice. “Stop, Colby, leave me alone! You’re hurting me!” I cried, trying to wriggle free.
But he was beyond reason. “Shut up!” he yelled, his eyes blazing with fury.
My eyes flashed with fear. “Let go of me, or I’ll scream!”
“Oh, you didn’t scream while you were with Jayden, did you?” he sneered. “Yeah, you actually did but in a good way, huh?”
My face burned with shame and anger. “Stop, Colby, please!”
But he dragged me to a secluded corner, pushing me against the wall. His lips descended, but I pushed him away. “You’re insane, Colby! Haven’t you gone insane?”
I tried to walk away, but he grabbed me, slamming me back against the wall once more. When he tried to kiss me again, I pushed him away, slapping him hard across the face. “Try that next time, and I’ll gouge out your eyes!”
Colby’s face twisted with rage but he didn’t stop. He grabbed my wrist, pinning it above my head.
But before he could do more, a fist connected with his jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
I turned to see Jayden standing next to me, his eyes blazing with fury and panting so hard and fast.
“Jayden,” I whispered, relief washing over me.
Jayden strode over to Colby, his fists clenched. “How dare you touch her?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.
With that, he sat down on him, hitting blows on his face everywhere.
“Please stop!” I begged, tears running down my cheeks but they weren’t even listening.
Colby spat at Jayden, blood trickling from his lips. “Playboy, done having fun, right?”
Jayden coughed, unfazed, and stood up. He took my hand, his eyes locked on mine. “Let’s get out of here.”
We turned to leave, but Colby’s voice stopped us. “So, what’s next?” he asked, his voice laced with malice.
Jayden and I turned to face him, Colby’s eyes glinting with anger as he lay on the ground, panting.
“When will you have enough, Jayden?” Colby spat, his voice venomous. “Today? Tomorrow?”
Jayden’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger.
“Please don’t,” I whispered, tears brimming my eyes.
I looked up at Jayden, his face tense with emotion. He sighed deeply, and we started walking again.
As we reached the front of the house, Jayden dropped my hand.
“You came back quite early,” I said.
“No, I didn’t drive anymore,” he replied softly. “And besides, I saw you and him from the mirror back then. I was so worried…” his voice trailed off as I glanced up at him.
“Ohh,” I could only mutter, staring downwards at my black heels.
“Have you ever thought of… dating, Allison?” he asked and I quickly looked up to see his eyes locked on mine.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. “What?” I whispered.
“Have you ever thought of being in a relationship?” he repeated, his voice low and husky.
I stood frozen, my eyes locked on Jayden’s. “What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Jayden’s gaze held mine, his eyes burning with intensity. “Have you ever thought of being in a relationship?” he repeated, his voice low and husky.
My heart skipped a beat as I processed his words. Was he asking me out? Did he want to be with me?
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I searched his face for answers. Jayden’s expression was serious, his eyes locked on mine with an unnerving intensity.
“I… I don’t know,” I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jayden’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. “You don’t know?” he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism.
I shook my head, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. “I mean, I haven’t really thought about it,” I admitted, my voice hesitant.
Jayden’s expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, maybe it’s time you did,” he said, his voice low and husky.
My heart skipped a beat as I processed his words. Was he hinting at something more? Did he want to explore the possibility of a relationship with me?